Page:Hannah More (1887 Charlotte Mary Yonge British).djvu/118

106 Miss More was entreated by persons from every quarter to write a popular refutation such as should be available for distribution. At first, doubting her own powers, she refused, but afterwards the idea inspired her, and in a few hours she had completed a tract called Village Politics, by Will Chip, a conversation in which she could give play to her native sense of humour.

Tom Hod, the mason, is discovered in a dismal state of mind by his friend Jack Anvil, the blacksmith, who inquires the cause.

.—"Why, I find here that I am very unhappy and very miserable, which I should never have known if I had not had the good luck to meet with this book. Oh, 'tis a precious book!"

.—"A good sign, though, that you can't find out what ails you without looking into a book for it. What is the matter?"

.—"Matter? why, I want liberty."

.—"Liberty! that's bad indeed! What, has anyone fetched a warrant for thee? Come, man, I'll be bound for thee. Thou art an honest fellow in the main, though thou dost tipple a little at the Rose and Crown."

.—"No, no; I want a new constitution."

.—"Indeed! why I thought thou hadst been a desperate healthy fellow. Send for the doctor."

As Tom's grievances are disclosed, Jack has ready